Wedding Music - Alternatives to DJ

I would be wary about using Spotify, you'll need a good internet connection.

I know another bride hired a DJ Rig, but just used a laptop to playback. The hire company delivered and collected (and this was reflected in the price).

I can't comment on other DJ's pricing, and it would be difficult to know if £450+100 is excessive. I would question why they are pricing the lighting separately. Are they supplying "extra" lighting (such as uplighters/moodlighting?), or is this simply the normal dance floor lighting?

I do know that £450 in this area is a fair rate for a typical Wedding, and I would not charge extra for disco lighting. Uplighting/Moodlighting is charged separately, but is normally more than £100.

You'll easily find cheap DJ's, but I assume you want someone you can trust.

I would say to keep looking around. Most of us will play what music is required - I'll offer advice, but ultimately its the couples choice.
I do know a few DJ's that sound like they're stuck in the 70s (probably too much radio work!), but most in the community are serious about meeting expectations.

For me, this does mean I may get asked for all the party/action songs one week, and the following week is modern only with a long "do not play" list, or more often a mix of everything.

Guests at the weddings where the action songs are requested by the Bride and Groom probably think I'm cheesy - but I'd not normally play these unless specifically requested.

The alternative, find a DJ that is willing to take a 100% playlist and has an online planning system.

Guests can pre-request tracks, and the DJ can simply use their judgement when to fit them in.

I've done a few nights like this - its not too interesting for me, but the guests do get to hear their requests and the couple have no chance of me playing anything that would upset them - even though I do discuss this with all clients regardless of what they want.

Aaah thanks Jason, this is all fantastic!! Why can't you work up North?! haha

My Spotify account means I can play playlists offline but I'm not sure where I could hire speakers/lights etc.

I think I'm pushing my look trying to find a good 50's/60's DJ in Morecambe!!

Jason is right...there's an awful loy of DJs out there that are more than happy to play exactly what you want (and we have a massive library of music to choose from).

One thing to consider is that by hiring a DJ...the responsibility is on them and you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you provide or manage the entertainment yourself....what happens if something isn't working properly? With a good DJ, they'll have back up and knowledge. Take the scenario, a cable is dodgy (even good quality ones can develop a break due to being wound up so often).... with a DJ it would be checked and changed without anyone noticing........ but if sound was only coming out of one speaker....would you know where to start?

Having been at a wedding with a jukebox...I'm quite 'anti' I'm afraid. take a look at this article.... http://www.weddingdjalliance.co.uk/wedding_dj_or_jukebox.php

There are a lot of DJs in your area....but unfortunately not all have a website. If you pop an enquiry in here https://mobiledjdisco.co.uk/mobile_disco_lancashire.html we have a good number of guys. If they are available for your date , they'll contact you with their details and price.

Hope that helps.

Hi!

I don't personally know any DJ's in your area (the nearest is based in Denton, Manchester).

I can only see 2 hitched suppliers that cover that area, and one appears NOT to offer the music you're after.

You may consider checking out;

http://www.weddingdjalliance.co.uk/

There as a selection of DJs that specialise in Weddings and so their customer service should be spot-on. You provide your requirements and their DJ's in your area will get in touch.

I would love to DJ your Wedding- but I'm nearly 5hrs away [:'(]

Last year I provided my services to a Bride who is the music media, and her preferences were very close to yours, with some added Philly Soul for good measure. All their friends were pro. musicians and hiring me was seen as a safer option (to avoid upsetting anyone).

Alternatively, there will be Hire Shops that should be able to delivery and install a system for you. From this, you can plug a Laptop.

The downside will be that someone really needs to be in charge of the system, and apart from the fairly easy job of playing music, the DJ needs to have some control over the night (like the 1st Dance, announcements, last dance, and also filtering any really bad requests!)

I can't find any really local PA Hire companies to you, but yellow pages etc should help.

If you want this area to be taken care of, I would suggest finding a DJ that is willing to work with you and can make you feel at easy that they are on your wavelength.

The DIY approach is perfectly achievable, but will not be much cheaper and will need some work on the day to get it right.

I really hope this is of help,

Jason

Yeah I didn't think too much about if things went wrong... I did a charity event last year and our DJ didn't turn up so we used the bars laptop and system and everytime it cut out I wanted to cry - probably not the best for my wedding day!

I will read the article now and also look on the websites you both suggested.

A friend of the family is a DJ but he lives away and said his insurance wouldn't cover him outside of Manchester and I'd have to pay for him to extend it - how much would this cost do you think? He did mention what kind of license it was but I forgot! It might be worth me looking into extending his license if it isn't too much as I'm sure he would play all our requests...

I'm not aware of any DJ licence that is for a specific area?

There is Public Liability Insurance (required by venues, and good business practice), and equipment insurance, and also correct vehicle insurance, but unless he would plan to leave the gear in his van or at the venue, I'd be surprised if there is a problem.

Hi Lyla,

Sorry to say this but it sounds like the guy doesn't really want to do it and is just using a line, because there is no license that is area specific. There is no DJ license full stop, never mind about for only a specific area!

There is a Digital music license (Called a ProDub license but that's not area specific, and there are the types of insurance cover mentioned by Jason.

Is Southport far from you?

I know an excellent DJ that specialises in Weddings in the Southport area if you'd like his details, plus there is a company in Preston called Dance Couture that has some superb DJs and they cover a lot of areas in the north.

Good luck